Is teaching part of the worship service?

Amazing Grace · #1 (**permalink**) 10-20-2009, 07:03 AM

In another thread, Brian Withnell has made some statements, utilizing WCF 21:5 to say that teaching is not part of the worship service. Preaching yes, teaching no. Some statements causing me concern are :

This is not intended as attack, but I would suggest that you have a misconception of what a worship service is. It is not for you, or anyone else in the congregation to "get anything" it is for you and others to give to God what he commands. Worship is given only to God, and it is not what children "get" or what you "get" that matters. Worship is supposed to be centered on God and what we give him.

But teaching is not part of worship. Preaching is part of worship. There is a difference.

The reading of the Scriptures with godly fear, the sound preaching and conscionable hearing of the Word, in obedience unto God, with understanding, faith, and reverence, singing of psalms with grace in the heart; as also, the due administration and worthy receiving of the sacraments instituted by Christ, are all parts of the ordinary religious worship of God: beside religious oaths, vows, solemn fastings, and thanksgivings upon special occasions, which are, in their several times and seasons, to be used in an holy and religious manner.

More often the equating of them comes from those that want to bend the RPW into a wax nose to be bent that allows anything ... if it can be used to teach; then by saying teaching is what a sermon is, allows anything which can teach. It is preaching that is an element of worship, not teaching.

These will suffice to get the ball rolling. I will start off by stating that I disagree completely with this premise. Making preaching and teaching mutually exclusive Is wrong from a linguistic definition standpoint and practical standpoint. I do not believe WCF 21;5 forbids teaching in its statement. And if teaching does occur, which it should, I do not believe this is making the RPW into a nose of wax molding it to allow anything.

Scriptures are legion showing that teaching is present in every presentation of the Word of God in a gathering.

What say ye?

SemperEruditio · #2 (**permalink**) 10-20-2009, 08:26 AM

What is Brian's definition of teaching vs his definition of preaching? I believe having that will address any confusion or miscommunication.

PointingToChrist · #3 (**permalink**) 10-20-2009, 08:49 AM

You are right in saying that preaching and teaching are not mutually exclusive. By preaching, it will be a teaching message. Preaching is unlike a Sunday school or more academic-type teaching setting, but by expounding scripture, teaching will occur. It is (partially) by this method that people learn the point of the entire worship service and why we do the things we do.

See various places in the Gospel (i.e. - Jesus went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues).

Amazing Grace · #4 (**permalink**) 10-21-2009, 10:11 AM

Bump ^^

Romans922 · #5 (**permalink**) 10-21-2009, 10:16 AM

I always thought teaching was part of preaching.

***fredtgreco*** · #6 (**permalink**) 10-21-2009, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Romans922

I always thought teaching was part of preaching.

The Scriptures certainly do link the two often:

Quote:

Matthew 11:1
When Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in their cities.

Luke 20:1
One day, as Jesus was teaching the people in the temple and preaching the gospel, the chief priests and the scribes with the elders came up

Acts 5:42
And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.

Acts 15:35
But Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.

Romans 2:21
you then who teach others, do you not teach yourself? While you preach against stealing, do you steal?

1 Timothy 2:7
For this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.

1 Timothy 5:17
Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching.

2 Timothy 1:11
for which I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher,

2 Timothy 4:2
preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.